> ⚙️ **Auto-generated, pending human review.** This page was compiled automatically by a bot from community discussions and has **not yet been verified by an editor**; details may be imperfect and corrections are welcome. //Editors: delete this line once you have reviewed the page.// ====== Frankie ====== {{clones:f:media:frankie:9e50e28a5c476903.jpg?400}} {{clones:f:media:frankie:bc9004a43f61d74a.jpg?400}} {{clones:f:media:frankie:cd84b38c8b015bd6.jpg?400}} ===== Description ===== "Frankie" is a highly sought-after Australian clone, typically classified within the //Trichocereus// genus (often associated with //T. bridgesii// or related hybrids). The clone features a columnar growth habit and a glaucous blue-green epidermis. While specific rib counts and exact spine lengths or colors are not documented in the available community records, cultivators note that it possesses a prominent, dense, and sharp spine profile that requires careful handling during propagation. It is capable of growing on its own roots, even from relatively thin or "skinny" cuttings. ===== History & Origin ===== The clone "Frankie" originated in Australia. According to community records, it is believed to have been produced and introduced to the collecting community by the well-known Australian breeders/collectors Rod and Delia. ===== Cultivation Notes ===== Cultivation reports focus heavily on the propagation of "Frankie" via grafting, with mixed observations regarding its difficulty: * **Grafting Methods:** There is an active debate regarding the success rate of slab grafts versus tip grafts. Some growers have reported total failure with slab grafts (e.g., 17 failed slabs in one attempt by James Benefield, and 6 failed slabs in another by Marv Logerquist). However, others have successfully executed slab grafts (such as James O'Brien-Brown and Tyler Collier). * **Scion Selection:** Using younger tissue is highly recommended. Propagating with younger pups or utilizing tip grafts generally yields much higher success rates. * **Comparison to CSD:** Several growers compare the grafting temperament of "Frankie" to "CSD" (Chemical Shaman's Dildo), with some noting that "Frankie" actually establishes more easily than CSD when using comparable techniques, while others report similar difficulties with slab grafts. * **Own Roots:** While often grafted to accelerate growth, "Frankie" can be successfully established and grown on its own root system. ===== Community Discussion & Citations ===== //Visible to trusted reviewers only.// ^ Date ^ Speaker ^ Key Insight/Quote ^ | 2022 (approx) | Steven Barford | "Cracking Aussie clone produced by Rod and Delia I believe." | | 2022 (approx) | David Gonzalez | "The younger the pup the better. I did like 7 grafts, tip included and 5 made it, I'll say better results than CSD." | | 2022 (approx) | Chris Reeb | "all 5 or so of mine were successful. The wasn't anything different than the others besides all the spines to deal with" | | 2022 (approx) | James Benefield | "I grafted 17 slabs and all failed." | | 2022 (approx) | James O'Brien-Brown | "I did one slab graft of Frankie and one of CSD and they were both fine" | | 2022 (approx) | Marv Logerquist | "I did 6 slabs and a tip, only the tip survived." | ===== Contributor Confidence ===== ^ Speaker ^ Confidence ^ | Steven Barford | 8/10 | | David Gonzalez | 7.7/10 | | James Benefield | 7/10 | | Chris Reeb | 7/10 | | Marv Logerquist | 7/10 | | James O'Brien-Brown | 7/10 | ===== Credibility Notes ===== * **Steven Barford** (Score 8/10) provided specific, historically consistent provenance regarding the clone's Australian origin and its connection to the prominent breeders Rod and Delia. * **David Gonzalez** (Score 7.7/10) provided clear, quantifiable grafting data (5 out of 7 successful grafts) and offered a valuable comparative benchmark against the clone CSD, alongside actionable advice on scion age. * **Chris Reeb** (Score 7/10) provided consistent first-hand success data (approximately 5 successful grafts) and noted the physical botanical challenge of managing the clone's heavy spination during the grafting process. * **James Benefield** (Score 7/10) provided specific, first-hand quantitative data regarding a high failure rate (17 failed slab grafts), highlighting the potential difficulty of slab grafting this clone. * **James O'Brien-Brown** (Score 7/10) provided direct, first-hand counter-evidence demonstrating successful slab grafting of both Frankie and CSD. * **Marv Logerquist** (Score 7/10) provided clear, first-hand data (6 failed slabs, 1 successful tip) reinforcing the hypothesis that tip grafts are more reliable than slab grafts for this clone.